Syllabus

SOC 354  Gender Studies:  Gender in a Global Context

  Syllabus for American University-Central Asia 2003-04 

Russ Kleinbach, Ph.D.   E-mail: KleinbachR@PhilaU.edu   
Medina Aitieva, MA      E-mail: aitieva_m@mail.auca.kg 
Course hours:  M., Th., 9:30, Room 1/122   
Office phone: 661092     Office hours: by appointment

Texts: Bulk Pack of readings.  Lectures will include presentations of theory and case studies drawn from additional texts and articles that will be in the University library.

Course Description:  This course will address issues related to sex and gender, such as gender roles in culture, the formation of gender identity and sexual orientation, and the significance of gender in major social institutions, and in personal and professional contexts.  Readings and lectures will be based on a variety of disciplines and look at many different cultures in a global context.

Introduction:  The paradigm of the “Global Context” assumes that we share not only an ecological environment and a mutual relationship to the same earth but that we live in a world in which groups and individuals with different assumptions, attitudes, beliefs, values, communicative styles, economic systems, and political systems live in contact with each other.  It recognizes that discrete events in the world today have global ramifications and seeks to examine relations between causes and consequences.  The course is a systematic study of theories, concepts, and methods of understanding gender in a cross-cultural perspective, focusing on the culture in the U.S. and societies in other parts of the world.  In the course we will make some theoretical assumptions:  (1) the context of our study is the world, (2) reality (including social facts such as the definition of gender) is historical and social, and (3) social existence precedes human personal experience.

 Organization:  The course will be structured around the readings in the bulk pack, lectures by the instructor, student written work and class discussions.  Students should bring to class comments and questions on issues and categories (raised in class or from assigned readings) on which they wish to elaborate, raise questions and/or disagree.  Thus much of the responsibility for what happens in the class periods rests with the students.  We will spend a significant amount of our class time in discussion, examining the assumptions, concepts and conclusions of the readings, lectures and films.  We will try to probe the presuppositions and implications of what we hear and read, and in so doing we will also probe the presuppositions which we bring to the class.  We will also watch films on gender issues in several cultures.

 Students are expected to take notes on class discussions and films, as well as on the lectures.                      

Requirements:

(a)     Class attendance and contribution to class discussion. (25% of grade)

(b)     First exam  (15% of grade)

(c)     Second exam will be cumulative: (15% of grade)

(d)     Final exam will be cumulative:  (20% of grade)

(e)     Research essay:  (25% of grade)
 

Exams must be taken and the research essay turned in the days they are scheduled, except in cases of prior arrangement or personal emergency.  Late exams will be made up at the convenience of the instructor!   Exams will include short answer and essay questions and will cover material in the readings, lectures, films, and material contributed to the class by the students.

 Contribution to class meetings will be evaluated in terms of the following: 

       •   the student’s critical evaluation and questioning of, and responses to the readings and comments of other students and the instructor,
•   the student’s contribution to the learning of fellow students and the instructor; this includes listening to and responding to others in such a way that all involved are encouraged to listen, to learn and to express our questions and views during class, and
•   the student’s demonstrated knowledge of the material.   

In class discussion, papers, and exams students should also demonstrate
•   the ability to be theoretical, i.e., to address the subjects in terms of the related abstract propositions and theories, and
•   the ability to organize material coherently with a good balance of specificity, generalization and opinion. 

Research Essay: The one “term paper,” will be a research-based essay on a issue that especially interests you in Kyrgyz culture or that has been raised in course readings, lectures or class discussions. The final paper should be 6-8 pages in length.  The usual criteria that apply to written work apply to these papers - they should be clear, shows signs of some logical development, be free of logical contradictions, have a consistent theme, be readable and intelligible, and they should not be burdened by mechanical errors.  Papers should have introductory and summary paragraphs.  Papers should be typed, preferably on a word processor, follow good essay form, have page numbers and be properly documented*.  Students should always keep a copy of the paper.  Please, no plastic covers or blank pages. 
[An assignment sheet will be provided with more detailed information.] 

*“Properly documented” means that whenever you use a resource to gain information or ideas which are not general knowledge, you must provide documentation in order to give credit to the authors of the information and to allow anyone reading your paper to either check your research or read more of the work from which you are drawing.  Documentation is required when items of information or ideas are drawn from a source, when material is paraphrased, and when material is quoted directly.  Incomplete documentation is called plagiarism.  Plagiarism is theft, and partially or totally stolen papers will not be accepted.  

Academic integrity and honesty is expected in all forms of course work.  Any dishonesty or cheating may result in the student failing the assignment or the course.  The primary forms of academic dishonesty to be avoided are
(a) Plagiarism:  taking the ideas or words of another without giving due credit to the source, and
(b) Cheating:  giving or taking information during an examination.

Tentative Schedule

History and Construction of Gender

Week:
1.         Introduction                                                                                                    
         ·  “The Social Construction of Gender,” Judith Lorber       
         ·  “Ethics and Definitions,”        
         ·  “Universal Declaration of Human Rights,”   The United Nations, 1948 
         ·  “Lilith”                                                                                                             

2.      Biology, Gender and Human Evolution
        ·  “Perspectives on the Evolution Of Sex Differences,” Lila Leibovitz  
        ·  “Sex Differences in the Brain,”  Doreen Kimura 
        ·  “Biology, Sex and Gender,”  Claire M. Renzetti & Daniel J. Curran 
            Optional: “Woman the Gatherer: Male Bias in Anthropology,” Sally Slocum 

3.        Human Evolution, Archeology,  and Gender 
        ·  “The Origin of the Family,”  Kathleen Gough
        ·  “!Kung Women: Contrasts in Sexual Egalitarianism in Foraging and Sedentary Contexts,”  
             Patricia Draper  
        ·  “On the Trail of the Amazons,” Kathy Sawyer   
            Optional: “Maya Royal Women: A Lesson In Pre-Columbian History,”
             David Freidel & Linda Schele    
                                                                                                                                           

  4.        The Cultural Construction of Gender

         ·  “Women and Men Elsewhere: Are Western Constructions of Gender Universal?”
            Claire M. Renzetti & Daniel J. Curran                                    

         ·  “Early Childhood Gender Socialization”   Claire M. Renzetti & Daniel J. Curran 

         ·  “Heterosexual Questionnaire”                                                                        

             Optional: “Rituals Of Manhood: Male Initiation In Papua New Guinea,”

            Gilbert H. Herdt                                                                                             

             Optional: “Hausa Socialization,” Barbara J. Callaway                                    

  5.        The Biological and/or Cultural Construction of Sexual Orientation

         ·  “Incidence of Various Sexual Orientations,” Tina S. Miracle, et al.             

         ·  “Genetic Role Indicated in Homosexuality Study,” Brenda C. Coleman     

         ·  “Study: Homosexuality Tied To Genes,”  Jim Detjen                                   

         ·  “In Nations Where Gays Serve, . . .” Jessica Baldwin                                   

         ·  “Sweden Enacts Gay-Marriage Law,” Johan Rapp                                                

         ·  “Gay-Couples Bill Drafted in Holland . . .” Reuters                                       

         ·  “The Gay Troop Issue,” New York Times                                                     

         ·  “Vermont Governor Signs ‘Civil Unions’ Bill Into Law”                             

         ·  “Gays & Lesbians: Closet Door Swings Open,” James Green & Enrique Asis 

         ·  “N.H. Episcopal Diocese Elects Gay Bishop,” David O’Reilly                      

         ·  “Canadian court ruling ends ban on same-sex marriages,”  Jeffrey Hodgson and Randall Palmer 

         · “Sodomy laws felled by court,”  Dave Montgomery                          

        •  First Exam      

Gender in the Major Social Institutions

  6.        Gender in the Economy

         ·  “Invisible Workers: Women as the Earth’s Last Colony,” Martha C. Ward        

         ·  “Global Economic Development,”  Nancy Bonvillain                                            

  7.        Gender in Economy continued, and Gender in Military

         ·  “Political Economy of Women’s Liberation,”  Margaret Benston                          

         ·  “The Globetrotting Sneaker,”  Cynthia Enloe                                                       

         ·  “Women in the South Korean Military,”   Doo-Seung Hong                                 

  8.        Gender in Government

         ·  “Encountering the State: Cross-Cultural Perspectives on Women’s Political Experience,”  
            Josephine Caldwell Ryan                             

         ·  “Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action (Summary)”  1995                          

         ·  “Redefining Matriarchy,”  Peggy Reeves Sanday                                                  

             Optional: “The Cult of Masculinity: American Social Character & the Legacy of the Cowboy,” 
                Michael S. Kimmel                                       

  9.        Gender in the Family and Kinship

         ·  “Male Authority and Female Autonomy: A Study of the Matrilineal Nayars of Kerala, South India,”  Shanti Menon   

         ·  “Matrifocality, Power and Gender Relations in Jamaica,” Marsha Prior 

         ·  “Dilemmas of Involved Fatherhood,”  Kathleen Gerson 

10        Gender in the Kyrgyz Family

         ·  “ Kyrgyz Bride kidnapping,” Sarah Amsler & Russ Kleinbach 

         ·  “Frequency of Non-Consensual Bride Kidnapping,” Russ Kleinbach 

         ·  “Return of Bride Kidnapping Sparks Concerns in Kyrgyzstan,”  Uzreport  

         ·  “Marriage of Inconvenience,”  by Hamid Toursun of and Aigul Abdyldaeva 

         · Second Exam

11.       Gender in Education

         ·  “Schools and Gender,”  Claire M. Renzetti & Daniel J. Curran  

         Optional: “Teaching the Boys: New Research on Masculinity and Gender Strategies for Schools,”  R. W. Connell 

12.       Gender in Religion

         ·  “Gender and Spirituality,”  Claire M. Renzetti & Daniel J. Curran 

         •  “Lilith,”  Jo Carson    &    “Legends of the Jews,” Louis Ginsberg 

         •  “Eve ("Hawwa")  Sister Aishah Ho

         •  “The Role of Women in Islamic Societies: Common Stereotypes and Misconceptions,” Bahira Sherif 

         ·  “Women’s Rights and Sharia Law,” 

             Optional: “Neither Man or Woman: The Hijras Of India,”  Serena Nanda 

             Optional: “Wicca,” WICCA web page  

            21^st Century Issues

13.       Gender and Human Rights                                                                                              

         •  “Convention on Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women,” 1981

         •  “Declaration on the Elimination of Violence against Women,” 1993 

         •  “The Status of Women Under International Human Rights Law and the 1995
            U.N. World Conference on Women, Beijing, China,” Margaret Platter 

         ·  “No Paradise Yet; the World’s Women Face the New Century,”  Marcia Parker  

         ·  “Egyptian Gays Living & Fleeing in Fear,”  Elise Ackerman

14.       Gender and Violence

         ·  “Sexual Terrorism,”  Carole J. Sheffield  

         ·  “The Ultimate Growth Industry: Trafficking in Women and Girls,” Jan Goodwin

         ·  Articles on “human trafficking,” “honor killing” & “female genital mutilation,” 

         ·  “Zambia's gender difference in HIV rates due to abuse,”   Chris Pritchard

             Optional: “Our Women” / “Their Women” Violence in the Balkans, 

             Optional: “Dowry, Bride-Burning, and Female Power in India,” Linda Stone & Carol James 

15.       Gender and Rights of Reproduction

         ·  “Europe: New urgency to fight for reproductive rights,” Peggy Simpson 

         ·  “Sterilisation in India,” Keya Acharya

         ·  “Standing fast in Mexico: . . .,”  Marta Lamas 

         ·  “Mother and Child,”  David Murphy  

         ·  “People’s Republic of China Law on Population and Birth Planning Undermining
              International Family-Planning Programmes,”  Anonymous 

         ·  “New population policies: Advancing women’s health & rights,”  Lori Ashford                                                                                                    
16.       Evaluation of Semester’s Work

            ·  Students present the results of their research
            ·  The possibility of a genderless society [lecture]

                                                                                                                           Total Pages  436

             ·  Final Exam